July 31st--Joe Alon Center, Israeli Air Force Museum, David Bun Gurion's House, Beersheva, Mitzpeh Ramon

Today was another whirlwind day for the Kohns. We set out from Jerusalem early this morning to explore a part of the country that we had never visited before, the Negev. Our first stop was the Joe Alon Center, also known as the Museum of Bedouin Culture. We have been noticing the Bedouin camps in our travels and were curious to learn more about them. We found the museum very interesting and insightful. We enjoyed learning about their beliefs and culture, struggles with modern society and deep rooted traditions. We also got to sip hot tea in a real Bedouin tent (made out of woven goat hair impervious to the rain and wind). There was also a small exhibit about the Bar Kochba Rebellion.
Next we continued to Beersheva to the Israeli Air Force Museum, which I thought the boys would love, but the heat was intense, especially walking around on the black tar to see all of the airplanes on the lot. The car thermometer registered an outside air temperature of 114 degrees! Insanity! After about an hour we were good to go. Surprisingly enough (NOT!) the place was empty. We definitely could not compare the experience to Latrun....
Next we stopped in Beersheva for a quick stop at Pizza Hut. The food was yummy, but when the power went out in the restaurant and we lost air conditioning, the heat intensified pretty quickly so our stop was brief.
From there we continued on to Sde Boker to see David Ben Gurion's summer residence and where he spent the later years of his life. We were struck by the simplicity and his reason for choosing this particular place. He chose the Negev because he wanted to show his solidarity to all of the settlers in the Negev who fought in the War of Independence. He believed that the Negev was imperative to the success of the Jewish State in terms of science, nature and tourism. It was pretty powerful to see how he actualized his commitment and solidarity and didn't just "talk the talk".
Hot and exhausted, we continued onto our hotel in Mitzpe Ramon. We decided to stay here because both Yehuda and I have never seen the crater and thought it would be another new experience for both us and the kids. We didn't realize how literally in the middle of nowhere we actually are!
After getting settled and making arrangements with the front desk for tours and activities for tomorrow, we set out for a simple dinner of falafel and schnitzel and a stop at the supermarket for some snacks for tomorrow. With nice full tummies we set out for our trek to the crater at sunset. The views were breathtaking as we walked along the edge of the crater (side by side with the ibex) and then climbed up to the top of camel mountain for the most fantastic views. The almost full moon shining brightly over the crater made the long trek well worth it. The temperature had dropped significantly and the desert winds blew strongly. Pretty amazing! Our great day was topped off by stargazing on this beautiful, clear night. Laila Tov!

July 30th--Qumran, Ein Tzukim, Ein Gedi, Ein Gedi Spa, Dead Sea Spa

I don't think that we have ever had a day as full as today!!! Full of fun, full of excitement and full of new things. Thank you so much to Savta and Roy for a truly incredible day!
We picked up Savta and Roy and then headed out of Jerusalem towards the Dead Sea area (we passed Morah Dina on the way walking with her kids -how funny?!). It is always so striking how the landscape immediately changes as you come out of the tunnels into the Judean Desert. The views are breathtaking and the kids couldn't get enough. They especially enjoyed seeing all of the camels and Bedouin Camps along the way.
Our fist stop was to get gas and to find me water shoes, which I forgot at home in NJ. Somehow I let the guy in the market convince me to buy rubber shoes that were two sizes too small because "they will stretch"...duh, no they won't! (Sidebar--my feet KILLED the entire day)!
Our first real stop was Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. It was pretty cool (and very hot) to learn about the sect that lived there and their interesting practices.
Next we drove just a few minutes down the road to Ein Zukim, a series of fresh water springs along the Dead Sea. The kids had a blast cooling off in the springs, splashing around, and trying to catch the fish swimming around. What was especially interesting (and sad) was that they had signs showing where the steps down to the sea were in 1968 and in 1985...and today you cannot even see the water from those places. The Dead Sea has been drying up year after year.
Our next stop was Ein Gedi, one of our personal favorites. We first ate our lunches at the covered picnic area at the bottom, then drenched ourselves and began the hot trek to the first waterfall. It was 42 degrees Celsius (about 107 degrees Fahrenheit)! The kids had a blast cooling off in the falls and when we got to the second waterfall (our favorite spot) the boys remembered making boats out of bamboo from last time so...the boat making began. When it was time to climb down, Joshua decided that he was going to prove to everyone that he could climb down the whole mountain with no shoes. Absolutely nuts, but he did it!!!
After a delicious ice cream treat we headed out to the Ein Gedi Spa. What a treat! Benjamin, Roy and I went swimming in the pool while Savta, Yehuda and Joshua went down to the Dead Sea (by tram) for a quick float. When they came back we all went to the mud to cover ourselves with the famous mineral mud of the Dead Sea, something we had never done before. It felt awesome (although Benjamin didn't really care for it) as did the sulfur showers, until we got it in our mouths and eyes. Then we went inside to the hot sulfur baths and then took nice refreshing showers. It was really such an incredible experience that we will all remember for a very long time.
On the way back we stopped at a restaurant called Last Chance and also had an experience. We got to sit and eat our meal on pillows on the floor.
What a delicious way to end a marvelous day!!
We also loved leaving the desert at 8:30 PM and the temperature was still at 95 degrees. When we returned to Jerusalem, just a 15 minute drive later, it was a cool 77 degrees. How cool...literally!
On the way home, Leora called to let us know that she is happy and having fun and that Zachary is too. What a relief!